MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A man was charged with lying about being injured during the massacre of 15 people at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration last year in a bid to gain financial compensation for victims of crime, and on Wednesday the prosecution of an alleged perpetrator was postponed until next year.
A 46-year-old man was charged in Sydney on Tuesday with publishing misleading material to obtain financial advantage and with false representation resulting in a police investigation, a police statement said on Wednesday.
The man, whose name has not been made public, claimed to have been wounded at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, 2025, when two gunmen opened fire on a crowd, killing 15 people aged 10 to 87 and wounding around 40 people.
Police released the fraud suspect on bail to appear in a Sydney court on Nov. 18, the statement said.
Police shot one of the gunmen, Sajid Akram, dead during the attack and wounded his son, Naveed Akram, now aged 25. Police allege the pair were inspired by the Islamic State group.
The son appeared in a Sydney court on Wednesday on 78 charges including 15 counts of murder, 43 of attempted murder and one of committing a terrorist act. Akram has yet to enter any plea.
Police said in a statement the fraud suspect allegedly pretending to be a victim “will have no impact on the matters currently before the court.”
Judge Karen Stafford granted Prosecutor Danielle New’s application to have the case adjourned until Feb. 24. Defense lawyers did not object.
New had told the court prosecutors needed more time to consult with victims and their relatives before charges could be certified.
The charge certification process formally sets out which charges will proceed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales state for trial.
Police have not detailed which victims of crime compensation scheme the suspect had attempted to scam. The state government offered Bondi victims up to 5,000 Australian dollars ($3,500) for those injured and triple that sum for relatives of victims who had died. The government also offered victims up to 30,000 Australian dollars ($21,000) for economic loss.
Additional financial help was offered to cover urgent health expenses.
Sydney's The Daily-Telegraph newspaper reported the suspect was an Indian national who was taken by immigration officials from the police station to the country's largest immigration detention center and could potentially be deported.
The Home Affairs Department said in a statement that an Indian national had been detained at that police station Tuesday after being charged.
But the department “cannot comment on individual matters for privacy reasons,” the statement said, declining to provide further detail.
Members of Sydney’s Jewish community have been appalled by the allegation that someone had attempted to make money from the Bondi tragedy.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin described the alleged fraud as despicable.
“To use police resources when we need police investigating matters and keeping us safe nearly a year on, when we still have security challenges in the community and wider society, ... is something despicable and we all have to condemn it,” Ryvchin told Nine Network television.
FILE- Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker,File)
FILE- Emergency workers and survivors at Bondi Beach following a shooting in Sydney, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker,File)
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 28, 2026--
Columbia Sportswear (Nasdaq: COLM) is preparing for the worst with the launch of the “Don’t Panic Room,” a new social campaign and contest that challenges outdoor enthusiasts to prove they have the skills, ingenuity and resilience to survive. Interested participants can submit videos showcasing their survival skills for the chance to win a modified 40-foot x 8-foot off-grid bunker, stocked with loads of Columbia gear, footwear, tools and plenty of stuff needed for whatever comes next.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028725608/en/
The campaign kicks off today with a film at columbia.com/bunker featuring Columbia CEO Tim Boyle, who calls on viewers to prove they have what it takes to win the “Don’t Panic Room.” As the world watches wealthy tech bros building bunkers for the worst-case scenarios, the brand feels that it’s important for the rest of society to have a shot at surviving whatever Mother Nature throws at us as well.
“We’ve been making gear for bad weather and other unfortunate moments for almost 90 years,” said Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear. “We’ve seen it all and we figured we’d offer our fans a chance to overcome the absolute worst that can happen in the outdoors. Hopefully the winner never needs the ‘Don’t Panic Room,’ but we made sure they’ll be warm and dry if the world does go to sh*t.”
The “Don’t Panic Room” is designed to keep occupants equipped and warm during a worst-cast weather scenario. The space features a bunk bed, a small kitchen and dining area, bathroom, a robotic dog named Rocky for companionship, and shelves stocked with survival gear, footwear, tools and supplies. And to arm occupants for adventures outside the bunker, a full Columbia section includes rows of canned jackets and gear to be opened in case of emergency.
Sealed in cans to withstand the test of time, jackets like Columbia’s Terwilliger Trail Heat Seal Hooded Jacket are ready to be opened when the weather takes a turn for the worst. When the need arises, occupants can simply pop open the cans to take advantage of Omni-Heat™ Infinity, Columbia’s patented reflective thermal technology that was inspired by emergency blankets, to stay warm. The bunker is also stocked with several pairs of Columbia footwear, including the Tellurix Titanium OutDry Mid, a technical waterproof shoe designed to tackle the most unexpected conditions.
The modified shipping container will be delivered directly to the winner, and entries will be accepted through November 24, 2026 via Instagram or by visiting columbia.com/bunker.
“The ‘Don’t Panic Room’ marks the next chapter in our Engineered for Whatever platform and is another unique way to show how our gear performs when conditions get especially tough. In this case, REALLY tough,” said Matt Sutton, Head of Marketing at Columbia Sportswear. “As we all watch tech people building bunkers to hide from their own tech, we want to reward the real survivalists and outdoors people who appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.”
Media can access stills and video assets HERE.
Don’t Panic Room Contest Abbreviated Rules:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 48 contiguous US/DC, 18 years of age (19 in AL/NE) and older. Void in AK, HI & where prohibited by law. Contest Entry Period starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on 10/28/26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/24/26. Prize is a 40’x8’ modified shipping container, which winner will need to receive and maintain, and $35,000. Subject to Official Rules, including important descriptions of the prize and requirements to receive it, how to enter, judging criteria, and restrictions, see http://www.DontPanicRoom.com/rules. Sponsor: Columbia Sportswear Company, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, OR 97229.
About Columbia Sportswear:
Columbia, the flagship brand of Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company, has been creating innovative apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. Columbia has become a leading global brand by channeling the company’s innovative spirit and passion for the outdoors into technologies and performance products that keep people warm, dry, cool and protected year-round. To learn more, please visit the company's website at: www.columbia.com.
An interior view of the Don't Panic Room, a real bunker that will be delivered to the contest winner's home.
Columbia's jackets are sealed in cans in the Don't Panic Room to be opened in case of emergency.
The Don’t Panic Room is a marketing campaign and contest that challenges outdoor enthusiasts to show they have the skills, ingenuity, and resilience to survive a worst-case scenario. One winner will receive a 40-foot off-grid modified shipping container delivered directly to their door and stocked with Columbia gear, tools, and survival essentials.
